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Posted on 01/24/2013 11:19:29 AM PST by Responsibility2nd
SALEM, OR (KPTV) - If you're a regular smoker, you may want to keep an eye on a new bill in the Oregon Legislature.
Rep. Mitch Greenlick, from Portland, is sponsoring a bill that makes cigarettes a Schedule III controlled substance, meaning it would be illegal to possess or distribute cigarettes without a doctor's prescription.
Under the proposal, offenders would face maximum punishments of one year in prison, a $6,250 fine or both.
Other drugs and substances that are considered Schedule III controlled substances are ketamine, lysergic acid and anabolic steroids.
"The State Board of Pharmacy may adopt rules placing requirements and limitations on the sale or transfer of products containing nicotine," the bill's text says.
"I think it's pretty crazy," said Juan Silva of Salem. "I don't see it going through. It's going to be something to watch for, but I don't think it'll pass."
Others see the proposal differently.
"I hope it passes and I hope people actually think about it," said Rick Cannon of Salem. "You know there's less and less smokers everyday because they know how bad it is for them, so I just hope people wake up and realize how bad it actually is for them."
Greenlick also made headlines this week by suggesting a state committee look into the hiring procedure used by the University of Oregon when it named Mark Helfrich the new Ducks head coach.
< /Drug War whore mode now off >
Don't worry...it's all so they can "serve and protect" you better...
Yes, but there is at least some accountability. With a black market, the profits can be split between drug smugglers and corrupt government officials.
And if they have to spend money housing this new criminal class in prison it’s a losing proposition.
Not if you're a police union, in which case it's a gravy train.
Next thing you know the prisons are overcrowded and they have to let the murderers and rapists out early.
That's even better. More need for federal revenue and prison guards.
In order to understand the upside to prohibition, you have to think like a whore. (apologies to the world's oldest profession for the insulting comparison.)
In my mind we’re getting really close to “open season” on the ruling class. These asshats have finally jumped the shark.
Some people are on Paxil... and they go out and shoot up schools.
Me? Well, I’ve been writing off smokes as a medical expense for YEARS. That, and all the coffee and liquor needed for me to keep my wits about me.
It’s for the children.
I only take legitimate deductions. Like for my 2 kids, Fido and Old Blue:)
Cool,, if they do i intend to buy them elsewhee in the West, like on a low or no tax indian reservation, and then smuggle the into Oregon.
Ill make some bucks.
Nanny State PING!
Nanny State PING!
Where have you been? This crapola started during Clinton and has just escalated. It's got nothing to do with who is in the White House - it was pretty danged bad during the Bush years.
WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG.............and did I mention you are WRONG
Not only do those who enjoy tobacco products pay more than their fair share for themselves, they are the ones paying for ALL of the kiddy healthcare through the ScHIP program.
You really should look into facts before spouting off the lies of the nanny state lovers.
My baby sister (now 55) had exactly two asthma attacks in her entire life; both when she was only months old.
Our wise old family physician advised my father to blow cigarette smoke at her from time-to-time.
Once he started doing that, no more asthma attacks for her to this very day.
If they can’t figure out how to extremely tax a prescription drug-
it won’t work.
Oh, I know it’s been going on for a while, but it just seemed like it increased, on the local and state levels, after Obama took over, like there was some kind of inspiration after his election. It could be it was just a coincidence, but these days there seems to be no shortage of people who want to push you around and tell you what to do.
Cigarettes are regulated by the FDA and approved for sale. How bad could they be?:-)
“Cigarettes are regulated by the FDA and approved for sale. How bad could they be?:-)”
Not only that, but they are a great source of the revered “revenues.” ;o)
This guy is a (locally) well known crank.
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